Direction-indicator for automobiles



W. H. BARRIERE.

DIRECTION INDICATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

' APPLICATION FILE-D JUNE 13, 1921.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Z SHEETS-SHEET l.

Eazzeae W. H. BARRIERE. DIRECTION iNDICATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATIONHLED JUNE 13, 192].

.8 mm a B Z Nu I m j m lie m n P s 2 "2 2 Z 7 H lwa Mm 7 rk WM a 9 e i W .1 F a w 4. if 76 .ing drawings in which- UNITED STATES WILFRID H. BARRIERE, or wononsrnn, MASSACHUSETTS.

'DIRECTION-INDICATOB FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters E'atent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Application filed June 13, 1921. Serial No. 477,330.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILFRID H. BARRLERE,

a citizen of the United States, residing atv dicate his intended actions in as simple a.

manner as possible. 'The principal objects of the invention are to provide a small and Y compact device adapted to be mounted on one corner post, mud shield or the like, and take up very little room for giving the desired signal; to provide it in such form that the signal can be displayed or withdrawn by a simple touch of the finger on a pin or button located in a convenient position; to provide a construction in which the parts are restored to normal undisplayed position in an equally simple manner; to provide a universal joint by which the angle of the device can be changed at will, and especially to provide an operating mechanism that will involve few parts and those of a very simple character. vantages'of the invention will appear hereinafter. i

Reference is to be had to the accompany- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the same; r .Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central sect onal view on a vertical plane showing the interior structure; 1

Figs. 4 and 5 are front elevatlons showing twodifferent signals that can be displayed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the casing; Fig. 7 is an elevationof the operating end of the supporting bracket;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale similar to Fig. 3 of a part of the operating mechanismshowing it in retracted undispla'yed position; I

Fig. 9 is a front elevation showinga way of applying the invention to a corner post, and A Fig. 10 is a similar view showing a universal joint that can be used in connection with it. s j

Referring first to the .first eight figures,

Further objects and ad- I provide a clamp 10 of ordinary construction by which the device can be clamped on the upright 11 of the windshield 12. This clamp is bent at right angles to form a support 13. This is infthe form of a plate to Wlllch are secured two sheet metal members 14 and 15, one on one side and one on the other, constituting in effect a casing for the'operating parts.

On the member 14 there is a tube 16 extending outwardly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the car. This tube has a cup shaped support 17 on the end like the member 14 to which is secured a second casing 18. This casing is provided with a pivot rod 20'near the top and rear on which are pivoted a plurality of levers 21. At the bottom the casing 18 1s provided'with another pivot rod 22 on which are pivoted the several signals 23, 24 and 25. These may be of any desired form or shape or may display any desired wordmg. I have indicated that the driver is going to the right or left and one of them as displaying the word Stop.

Each of these display plates 23 is provided with an end slot 26 in which enters a stud 27 located on the end of one'of the levers 21. Individual springs 28 normally pull these levers up as far as possible. It will be seen by reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 that whenever either of these signals is displayed the corresponding spring 28 acts onthe lever 21 to force the stud 27 against the outer edge of the slot 26 and hold the signal out in horizontal position. Each display plate has a notch 29 resting on a projection 30 at the bottom of the casing constituting the bottom of the slot through which the signal passes.

I have shown each of the levers 21 as connected individually by, a wire 32 or other flexible connection with an operating lever 33. In the present form, having shown three signals 23, 24 and 25,. there are three of these levers 33 all mounted independently to swing on a shaft 34: located in the easing 15. Each of these levers comprises a main plate having a curved surface 35 on which the flexible connection 32 can be wound part way around, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 8. Each is rovided with a handle 36 having a notch 3 On the plate 13 below are ,a corresponding number of spring pressed latches 38 adapted to enthe arms 36 down in the position shown in Fig. 7. In this position all the signals are drawn back into the box 18 andare not displayed. On each of the latches 37 there;

.is a handle 39 operating in a vertical slot 40 in a small casing 11 located on the bot tom of the plate 13.

7 When it is desired to display any one of.

the signals the corresponding handle .39 is depressed." This withdraws that latch 38 and the corresponding spring 28 pulls the wire 32 and turns the lever 33 into the' position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 As soon as the signal has started to drop gravity will assist the spring 38 and pull it over. into the horizontal position shown in Fig. 1.

' It will be understood, of course, that to withdraw the signal the proper handle 36 is pushed down and that on'account of the sloping "ends of this. arm and the latch 38 it will be automatically latched in its lowermost vertical position when the signal is drawn tully backinto the casing 18.

"In the form shown j in Fig. 9 a slight modification is shown in that the tube 16' is .provided' with an upwardly extending projection 45- received in a vertical socket 46 on the casing 18 so that this casing is detachably connected.

modification is illustrated in which the bracket 14 is provided with a spherical joint member 17 engaging a; concave spherical member 18 constitutingthe other member of" In the form shown in Fig. 10 another the joint and locatedon thebracket 17. The several wire connections 32 pass throughthis universal joint as the end of the member'al' is perforated and there is a passage through it as well as through the member 48. This permits of turning the signal to the desired anglefwithin convenient limits. I 'On the front of'the box 181 have showna'mirror 43but of course anyother' device can bejused there so long as it conceals the signal plates inside.

Although I have described and illustrated only-minor modifications of the principal form of the invention, I am aware of the fact thatotherchanges can be made therein any person skilled in the. art without departinglfrom the scope of the invention as expressed injthe'f claims. "Therefore, I do not wish to be limitedl. to'al'l the details of construction herein shown and described-but what I do claim. is

'1. In an automobile signal device, the

V combination of a casing, 'a;plurality of sig plates pivotally mounted'in said. casing ;on an axis nearlthe outer edge thereof and at the bottom, each of saidfplates having a slot therethrough at the end} located in V verti- Y calposition when the plate isi turnedf to hori t na positio f r ispl yi Pu p s, a le er nn cted; w h e ch. f said p ates through saidslot and extending upwardly in the casing all of said levers being pivoted on horizontal axis near the top and rear or" the casing, and yielding means for torcing' eaclr' leyer outwardly and constantly tending to. swing the respective'pla tes over into position for display outside the casing.

2. In an automobile signal device, the

combination of a casing, a plurality of signal plates pivotally mounted in said casmg, each of said plateshaving a slot there through at the end, a lever connected with each of said plates through said slot, yielding means for forcing each lever outwardly and constantly tending to swing the respec- .t'ive plates [over into positionfor display and extending upwardly in the casing, all

of said levers being pivoted on a horizontal axis near thetop and rear of the casing, yielding meansffor'forcing each lever outwardly andconstantly tending to swing the respective plates overinto position for display, a. flexiblemember connected with each lever, a pivoted lever connected with each of said flexible'connections and .having'asurface over which saidflexible connections canjbe drawn by turning the last named lever .to withdraw the other lever into a .position to swing the. signal plate up into the casing. r I

4:. In an automobile signal device, the

combination of a plurality of signal plates pivotally mounted, .a. lever. connected with each of said plates, yielding means forforcing A each lever outwardly and constantly tending toswing the respective plates over 7 into position for display, a flexible member connected with each lever,.a pivotedlever connected with. each ofsaid flexible connections and having asurface over which sald ,fiexible connections can be drawn by turning the lever to withdraw thesfirstqnamed lever into a position to swing the signal plate up, each of thelast named levershaving an arm witha notch on it'adapted to assume a horizontal position when the corresponding signal plate is displayed and adapted to be turned down to vertioalposition for withdrawing the signal-plate; and a spring press'edlatch for engaging thenotch and holdingthe. second lever in the last named posit on.

"5. In an automobile signal device, the

combination of a casing, a plurality of signal plates pivotally mounted in said'casing, 'a'lever connected with each of said plates.

and extending upwardly in the casing, all of said levers being pivoted; on horizontal axis near the top and rear of the casing, a spring for forcing each lever outwardly and constantly tending to swing the respective plates over into position for display outside the casing, a flexible member connected with each lever, and a support for the casing comprising a tube through which said flexible members pass, said tube having a universal joint therein whereby said casing can be turned to different angles. p

(S. In an automobile signal device, the combination of a casing, a plurality of signal plates pivotally mounted in said casing on an axis near the outer edge thereof and atthe bottom of said casing, each of said plates having a slot therethrough at the end located in vertical position when the plate is turned to horizontal position for dis playing purposes, a lever connected with each of said plates through said slot and extending upwardly in the casing, all of said levers being pivoted on a horizontal axis near the top and rear of the casing, yielding means for forcin each lever outwardly and constantly tending'to swing the respective plates over into position for display outside the casing, a flexible member connected with each lever, and a support for the casing comprising a tube through which said flexible members pass, said tube being provided with means for detachably supporting said casing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

WILFRID H. BARRIERE. 

